The historic and much loved Mount Melleray Abbey in West Waterford is set to be vacated in late January as part of a consolidation process by the Cistercians pending future decisions.
A statement to WLR News said the decision has been taken "regretfully" and "in accordance with the restrictions of our present resources".
Superior ad nutum, at the Abbey of Our Lady of Silence, Dom Rufus Pound ocso, said: "After much reflection and soul searching we as an Order have had to make some very difficult decisions with the aim of ensuring a future for Cistercian life in Ireland. We have been confronted with these difficult decisions as we address the reality of falling numbers and ageing communities; issues which other similar communities are also addressing at this time."
The Cistercians were first established in Ireland in 1142, initially at Mellifont Abbey by St Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh. By the time of the Reformation and the Dissolution of the Monasteries there were forty-three houses of monks and three of nuns.
They now have a presence at six locations on the island of Ireland, namely Mount Melleray (Co Waterford), Mellifont (Co Louth), Mount St Joseph, (Roscrea, Co Tipperary), Bolton Abbey (Co Kildare) Portglenone Abbey (Co Antrim), and the Sisters at St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn (Co Waterford).
It has now been decided that with effect from 26th January 2025, three of their communities, namely, Mount Melleray, Mellifont and Mount St Joseph, which since 3rd November, the Feast of St Malachy, have already merged as one new single community will be based, for an interim period, at Roscrea.
This new community has been given the name of ‘The Abbey of Our Lady of Silence’, and its residency at Roscrea, is described as "an interim measure".
Abbeys at Moone (Co Kildare) and at Portglenone (Co Antrim) will not be affected by this decision and will continue as autonomous communities.
The new community of Our Lady of Silence, currently consists of twenty-six members, three of whom are novices – and it's stated that "already interest has been expressed from others wishing to join us".
"We are optimistic that this now has the potential to become a vibrant community wherever we finally decide that it will be located," the statement adds.
"We will now take time to consider how this new community will develop and where it will ultimately reside on a permanent basis. In the context of our decision we must rationalise our use of the three properties formerly associated with the three pre-existing communities, in line with our present day needs and resources. No final decisions have been taken at this stage regarding any of the properties which may be vacated in the near future, however as decisions are made further announcements will be forthcoming. Cistercian College, Roscrea continues to go from strength to strength and will not be impacted in any way, by decisions in the future."
Fr Rufus Pound describes the current situation as "a difficult time for all the members of our new community as we strive to meet the challenge of our present day realities".
"It is especially difficult for those who have spent their entire lives in a specific monastery and must now adjust to these changed circumstances. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, some of whom who have been with us and supported us for decades, and the many other loyal volunteers and friends who will be affected by these developments."
He adds: "None of the previous three abbeys would have survived over the centuries without the support and friendship of those in the locality, but also many others associated with them in different ways. We recognise and acknowledge the often profound attachment all these have towards our monasteries and we deeply regret that we will not be able to maintain our presence at all three locations, as we embark on this new beginning. Our gratitude and prayers will continue to be with those who have shared our journey in so many rich and varied ways here in Ireland over the years."
The community members of Our Lady of Silence will, in the main, continue at their present locations until the 26th January 2025.
Thereafter they will vacate Mount Melleray and Mellifont until final decisions have been made in regard to the long term location of the new community.
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